Drum Tower Pictures

Drum Tower Introduction

IntroductionDrum Tower is opposite to the Bell Tower, which has been the important historical and cultural relic under state protection. The tower is a tall and magnificent architecture with triple dripping eaves and timbered saddle roof (a Chinese architectural style) covered by glazed tiles. With the pendentives and the colored patterns, it looks very statedly and splendid. As there was ever a giant drum in the first floor (a replacement placed there now) of the tower, the correct time used to be given by beating the drum at dusks. In the former days, there were big plaques hung o­n the first floor, each weighted about 3 tons. o­n the third floor, there are 14 red exposed pillars and 24 unexposed pillars supporting the top floor. In the hall there are 3 big palace lanterns, 12 mid-sized lanterns and 16 small-sized palace lanterns hung there. The Drum Tower and the Bell Tower are sister tower and are called together the Morning Bell and Evening Drum in Xi'an. Mounting o­n the second floor, you can overlook the Mt. Zongnan and a beautiful panorama of Xi'an.You can visit there at any time, except the cold winter.

Drum Tower Features

HighlightThe Drum Tower in Xian was initially built in 1380, just the Bell Tower's elder by four years. It was renovated twice in 1699 and 1740 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is a two-storied post and panel structure, 34 meters (about 112 feet) high and 52.6 meters (about 172 feet) long from east to west as well as 38 meters (about 124 feet) wide from north to south. The architecture style of the Drum Tower is a combination of the styles of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Qing Dynasty. However, the Drum Tower also has some innovative features. For example, it should be mentioned that there is no iron nail used anywhere in the Drum Tower.Arriving at the Drum Tower you will see that there is an arched doorway in the centre of the south and north walls, doorway being 6 meters (about 20 feet) in both height and width. The north entrance leads to Beiyuan Men and south to Xi Dajie. Visitors can go upstairs to the second floor, and enjoy the views around the Drum Tower. Meanwhile, you will notice that there are twenty-four drums in the north and south sides of the Drum Tower. These drums stand for the Twenty-four Solar Terms which is a kind of weather calendar created by the Chinese ancients in order to guide the agricultural production.In modern times, the Drum Tower is not used as a timer any more, but there are some new attractions for visitors to enjoy. In the year of 1996, a new drum, covered by a whole piece of cowhide was given a place o­n the Drum Tower. It is the biggest drum in China at present. What is more, visitors will enjoy musical performances o­n the Drum Tower. These performances will enlighten o­ne o­n the power of ancient Chinese culture.

Drum Tower Tickets

Drum Tower Fee and Opening HoursAdmission: 27rmb Drum-Bell Tower Ticket: 40rmb. Playing the drum will cost you 5rmb. With yearly tickets for Shaanxi travelling, you can visit here at any time,except the short vocation of “1st,May”and “1st,Oct” （Expiry Day is 30th,Mar,2009）Opening Hours: Daily 8：00－22：00, from 1st,April to 31st,October.And Daily 8：00－17：30, from 1st,Nov to 31st, March next year.